Mary’s Song

by Jeanette Leisk

Luke 1:46b-55

46 And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷   and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
⁵² He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly;
⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵ according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

I don’t know if this will surprise you or not, but pastors can get a bit snarky. About Christmas songs. One song that a lot of colleagues are rolling their eyes at this year is the song, “Mary Did You Know?”

Now before you worry that I’m going to ruin the song for you, rest assured that I happen to like the song. But I also agree that the song lyrics characterize Mary as a young woman who did not recognize the significance of her child. Our Advent reading for today, Mary’s song known as The Magnificat, makes it clear that indeed Mary did know who her child would be.

In that vein, I appreciate a rewording of the lyrics a friend shared with me this morning:

Mary did you know,
that your ancient words
would still leap off our pages?

Mary did you know,
that your spirit song
would echo through the ages?

Did you know that your holy cry would be subversive word,
that the tyrants would be trembling when they know your truth is heard?

Mary did you know,
that your lullaby
would stir your own Child’s passion?

Mary did you know,
that your song inspires
the work of liberation?

Did you know that your Jubilee is hope within the heart of all who dream of justice, who yearn for it to start?

The truth will teach, the drum will sound, healing for the pain
The poor will rise, the rich will fall. Hope will live again.

Mary did you know,
that we hear your voice
for the healing of the nations?

Mary did you know,
your unsettling cry
can help renew creation?

Do you know, that we need your faith,
the confidence of you,
May the God that you believe in,
be so true.

Lyrics by Jennifer Henry (inspired by the popular song of the same name)
Artwork by Anthony VanArsdale for the National Black Catholic Congress